I really want to start shaping surfboards so that I can get a job doing it. Does anyone now a good place to learn or any tips

you tube has heaps of clips to set you in the right direction,see if you can score some seconds blanks and start hacking

heaps of good "how to" sites on the web and some great you tubes clips as well. I have started shaping some surfboards from old windsurfing boards. You can pick them up from about $20 and they have heaps of foam to shape almost what ever you want. Peeling the fiberglass off the windsurf board takes a bit of work but if you have a small angle grinder it is a bit easier. Its a messy hobby but very rewarding. I have made 4 so far, just for me and my kids.

Select to expand quote

peter2015 said..
heaps of good "how to" sites on the web and some great you tubes clips as well. I have started shaping some surfboards from old windsurfing boards. You can pick them up from about $20 and they have heaps of foam to shape almost what ever you want. Peeling the fiberglass off the windsurf board takes a bit of work but if you have a small angle grinder it is a bit easier. Its a messy hobby but very rewarding. I have made 4 so far, just for me and my kids.

sweet ...post some picks up for all us wannabees

Go find a local shaper and offer to be the **** kicker for nothing. I take it you are probably young - given your request. Go and talk to them - offer to clean up and soak it all up. Learn to fix all your own dings and all your mates. At the same time buy some machines blanks and finish them off. Then progress to shaping them from scratch. Search the archives here for build threads - several of the crew shape their own boards. Great fun. Lots of stuff on line as well as previously mentioned. But like anything it's better to learn good technique from the start - will save you loads of effort going forward. Glassing sucks as it's hard work initially and very messy - especially when you stuff up - but it takes time to learn it. Put the effort in. Buy some 'second blanks' and get busy and make sure you start your own build thread so we can see what you up to

Don't do it in your lounge room... Mum will be pissed off.... +1 for hitting up your local shaper to be a floor sweeper in exchange for knowledge... Even your local ding repair guy....always wear a mask and say no to drugs...

Where are you located Zac?

Do as Ted and Benny said but you can start to design on CAD http://www.shape3d.com/Products/Shape3dLite.aspx.
This way you learn about surf board geometric before sawing and planning foam which is an other ability.

Zac,

All great options above.
You have to learn to walk before you can run. So go the shaper who can create from a blank that hasn't been touched by a machine first. Learn the art, develop your eye on shadows and curves in the bay. Soak up all the information explained
Then dable with the machines years down the track when you want to bring in more coin.
Very rewarding over time.....

Now THIS is interesting!

Should a young, wannabe shaper get experience with a local board shaper who:

a) Shapes by hand only
b) Shapes by machine and finishes by hand

Both !!

I imagine you can not really call yourself a shaper if you just finish by hand.....need to be able to do both - you can be a specialist machines person if you so choose but then I would just call you a finisher - not a shaper

Go work with the hand shaper first

Aswell as all the great advice offered so far, I would recommend learning as much theory on how shape effects the performance of an object moving through a fluid. We're not talking Formula 1 cars here but understanding why you're shaping a board a specific way is just as important as being able to do it...especially if a customer wanted to pick your brain as to what shapes and dimensions best suit his/her ability.

Best of luck!

Finish school and go to uni.

Here's an option on the East Coast.

www.treehouseshapes.com.au/surfboard-shaping-workshops/
www.facebook.com/treehouse.shapes

I've heard they are thinking about setting up in WA too. Let them know you are keen and it might just happen. I've registered my interest...

To enter into the topic a bit more without turning Zac's question into a debate on Machine / Hand Shaping.

To understand what is needed to input into the shaping program you have to have the built up knowledge of board design through visualizing, experimenting and riding the said product.

Both do have there positives and negatives.

The above post by Porka is great. If I was a betting man I reckon if you try yourself or go to a workshop like above, you wouldn't even think of the machine process when starting out. How boring it would be if you entered into the industry and all you were doing is machine work. That is sanding out the ribs created by the cutting tool. I think I'd only last a day doing that.

Machines serve there purpose well. Most guys are using them as hand shaping you get left behind, can't compete with the time factor.

But for Zac starting out. Take your time, build a bay if you can, if not go the shaper who shows a interest in your interest, develop your craft over time, but most of all enjoy what you do..

Select to expand quote

beastsurf said..
Finish school and go to uni.

When I was 14 I went to Col Ladhams and told him I wanted to shape boards. I was already working in a shop doing board repairs and Col had shaped me my first custom.

That's exactly what his response was to me some 18 years ago, and I'm glad I took his advice.

Select to expand quote

surfonkeith said..
To enter into the topic a bit more without turning Zac's question into a debate on Machine / Hand Shaping.

To understand what is needed to input into the shaping program you have to have the built up knowledge of board design through visualizing, experimenting and riding the said product.

Both do have there positives and negatives.

The above post by Porka is great. If I was a betting man I reckon if you try yourself or go to a workshop like above, you wouldn't even think of the machine process when starting out. How boring it would be if you entered into the industry and all you were doing is machine work. That is sanding out the ribs created by the cutting tool. I think I'd only last a day doing that.

Machines serve there purpose well. Most guys are using them as hand shaping you get left behind, can't compete with the time factor.

But for Zac starting out. Take your time, build a bay if you can, if not go the shaper who shows a interest in your interest, develop your craft over time, but most of all enjoy what you do..

Please mind this one more thing to say: whatever the shape Zac will build, he will build in first his knowledge .
For example : if he work out too much flat on the planning area he will know he will make his board going fast but also by this way, he did put stiffness...Next board he will know the good curve to build in his own perfect board, whatever the way to do it , handshape or soft ware.

Thanks guys these are all good answers but I think its best for me to do hand shaping because I am only thirteen and I can't buy all the expensive fancy sanding machines. Thinking of just tearing off some fibre glass from a old windsurfing board seems like the cheapest and I know some guys that wind surf that might have an old one.I have gone to some board shapers to learn but they have just turned me down unfortunately.

Select to expand quote

Zac02 said..
Thanks guys these are all good answers but I think its best for me to do hand shaping because I am only thirteen and I can't buy all the expensive fancy sanding machines. Thinking of just tearing off some fibre glass from a old windsurfing board seems like the cheapest and I know some guys that wind surf that might have an old one.I have gone to some board shapers to learn but they have just turned me down unfortunately.

Where are you loacted?

Did you ask them to teach you shape or offer to work in the factory for free and watch how it all goes down. Old windsurf board is a good idea you can also usually pick up seconds blanks pretty cheap ($25). I have a mate that uses a saw, surform, planer and sandpaper to do everything...all purchased for under $100

Thanks Tux

I am located in Perth
I will try ask some local shapers if I can go work for them for free seems like a good idea and while I'm there i'll ask them if they have a second blank

Select to expand quote

Zac02 said..
Thanks Tux

I am located in Perth
I will try ask some local shapers if I can go work for them for free seems like a good idea and while I'm there i'll ask them if they have a second blank

Good luck and let us know how you go

Also when your a big time shaper don't forget all the little guys that gave you advice on Seabreeze

Hi Zac,

PM me and I'll see if I can help you out. I'm on the East Coast but I have a best mate that we learnt together back in WA many, many many ( to many many's ) years ago . He shapes from home and I reckon if I speak to him he might be able to guide you through the processes to get started..Keith.

surfonkeith@hotmail.com

^^nice one

Zac,
send me a PM and we can talk about u using my bay to have a go.

bunch of legends - how good is seabreeze!!!

Dear Zac, as you make me remenber myself when I start building my first board when old as you. Want to give you an help.
So if you want that kind of board looking as a Hyp@@@@to , can send you the file I made it for my son 32 years old, customized to your dims . Or you can print templates ( outline, bottom curve and rails shape) from the software to do hand shaping from your windsurf blank at Bertie's bay
PM if you want it.


Never give up

+1 for Bertie. He has an awesome setup and is knowledgable and super helpful. I've seen a few of his boards firsthand and the attention to detail is excellent.

+1 for Bertie. He has an awesome setup and is knowledgable and super helpful. I've seen a few of his boards firsthand and the attention to detail is excellent.

Hey Zac there is a guy in city beach i think u should visit